The Crix inspires devotion, and plenty of its hardcore followers would call it the very best pub in Sydney, no contest. The public bar and grungy little courtyard downstairs are classic, while Chez Crix upstairs dials in the French bistro vibe. Pool comps and jazz quartet jams by the fireplace are regular features here.

A tiny pub with a fiercely loyal crowd of locals and more history than a Harbourside sandstone brick. All of that, the pub's name and its considerable charm is down to the late Doris Goddard, a former actor who wanted to bring the spirit of the movies and movie stars she flirted with to a casual pub setting. While she may not be around to tell the stories anymore, the walls are clustered in mementos and the showbiz still lives on through the occasional gig.

Depending which pocket of the pub you end up in, you'll have a completely different experience. The public bar up front is classic Australiana, while the leafy restaurant-style terrace is a more refined space. The cosy art room is an ideal nook for afterwork dates, and the handsome function space upstairs primed for any special occasion.

Along with the Dolphin, the best dining in this list. The bistro is a bonafide Italiano trattoria complete with house-made pasta, Naples styled wood-fired pizzas plus a few inauthentic non-Italiano extras to please the pub-grub crowd. The old pub also boasts a hefty courtyard, which, thanks to the space and generally more professional clientele, is less rowdy than more clustered alternatives in other pubs. There is a party option too, upstairs on the dance floor every Friday and Saturday night.

The furthest you can go from being a pub while still being identifiable as a pub. Featuring: George Livissianis designed rooms that are literally plastered in rough paper mâché, a dining room by the team that run Icebergs', pizzas that are suprisingly both Australian and premium quality, a progressive wine list curated by James Hird, the occasional artistic flourish by Tracey Deep, and aperitivo pop-ups with some of Sydney's best chefs.

There's probably two reasons you're going to the Keg and Brew. One, you're a beer enthusiast jonesing for something new pouring out of the 40-plus taps (or just a cheap Reschs like all the other post-work swillers). Or two, you’re headed for the breezy rooftop bar for a cocktail and some surprisingly good views of the city skyline.

Maybe the only place in Surry Hills which would make a list for good eats, good dancing and good drinks. Eats cover much of the ground between the US and Mexico plus a few better versions of Australian pub standards. Dancing happens most Friday and Saturday nights with local and overseas DJs running the tunes. Drinks are what you want them to be, anything from jugs of pineapple punch and cheap commercial brews to a Malbec from the Harry's cellar.

A spot for great value beers and pub feeds.

Craft beer is king at this petite Surry Hills boozer.

It hasn’t taken long for this back-street neighbourhood pub to attract the locals.